RWE and EON group managers are promoting their understanding after their barter business is to cost many jobs. Thousands of new people could be created in the future.

Up to 5,000 jobs are endangered by planned Innogy deal between RWE and Eon – but energy companies want to do business without layoffs after ir bartering. Eon boss Johannes Teyssen did not want to commit himself, but said: "We are optimistic." In contrast, RWE CEO Rolf Martin Schmitz announced at a joint press conference with Teyssen that re would be no downsizing at RWE.

The companies want to divide RWE subsidiary Innogy among mselves. RWE is to get business with renewable energies, eon networks. In addition, EON intends to supply its energy production to RWE. By end of 2019, restructuring, which has yet to be approved by competition authorities, should be completed.

In medium term, Eon expects good development opportunities, which could create thousands of new jobs in Essen, Germany and Europe in next decade, said Teyssen. "Of course, we will work closely and trustfully with employee representatives throughout whole phase of change," EON chief promised.

RWE chief Schmitz said, of course, re is also uncertainty among employees. "But if two leading companies join forces and develop better opportunities for future, I am sure that this will also pay off for employees in long term."